In the extreme weather conditions, Sverdlov couldn’t find his pack and finally just hunkered down in the snow until daylight, with just the clothes he had on and a frozen water bottle. The next day, he was able to locate his pack but still couldn’t travel over the snowy trail, so he spent another night on the side of the volcano.

Sverdlov had bought a backcountry permit, so park rangers were aware he was out there. They found his vehicle on Tuesday. When the car was still there Wednesday, the release said they decided to send out a search and rescue helicopter.

“I’ve done many crazy hikes, but this one pretty much tops the bill,” Sverdlov said in the release. He also said he was worried he’d die on the mountain and was happy to hear the helicopter.